Summary

Transform any garden into a haven for beautiful butterflies! Renowned butterfly specialists--scientists, nature writers and artists, directors of biological preserves--reveal the secrets of attracting and caring for these delicate creatures. With more than 80 beautiful photographs, this inspiring manual focuses on the amazing lifecycle of butterflies, especially emphasizing caterpillars and their food plants. Regional experts from every region from north to south and coast to coast, describe their own gardens and the native flora that butterflies love. Profiles cover specialty gardens, including herb gardens, children's gardens, and a wildflower meadow. Information on butterfly biology, family classification, migration, and conservation make this a valuable complement to butterfly guidebooks as well as a great gardening guide on its own.

Booklist Review

As harbingers of a garden's glory days, butterflies are perhaps the best indicators of a healthy environment. With their lustrous coloration, distinctive patterns, and captivating behaviors, they bring a whimsical vitality to the garden. Seemingly ubiquitous, their presence isn't always a foregone conclusion, however, for butterflies can be sensitive to available sources of food, water, and shelter. Fortunately, it's easy to create inviting butterfly habitats, thanks to the latest installment in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's acclaimed series of regional garden guides. From monarchs to admirals, satyrs to painted ladies, hairstreaks to brushfoots, more than 38 different species are succinctly profiled and showcased with detailed color photography to further aid in proper identification. Educational essays by renowned butterfly experts address basic issues such as butterfly anatomy, behavior, and survival strategies and offer in-depth insight into migration, winter survival, and caterpillar habitats. A comprehensive encyclopedia of butterfly-attracting plants organized by geographic region makes this an indispensable guide to understanding and appreciating these beneficial garden inhabitants. --Carol Haggas Copyright 2003 Booklist